Paul Maholm pumped out his second quality start in two tries, and the Pirate offense backed him up today as the Bucs smoked Cincy, 10-2. The win improves the 2009 mark to 3-2.

Paul picked up his first win by going 7 innings and allowing just one run on three hits and two walks. He struck out three, and made it look easy, inducing grounder after grounder.

Meanwhile, the offense didn’t have any trouble against Johnny Cueto, and the Bucco bats launched some bombs out of Great American Ball Park. Details and video highlights after the jump:

Nate McLouth got things started with a homer in the first inning (his second homer and second hit) to make it 2-0 Bucs after a Morgan single.

In the fourth, the red-hot Jack Wilson drove home Brandon Moss with a double. Nyjer Morgan hit a triple to knock home Jack and make it 4-0. Nyjer is hitting at a .391 clip in the early going.

McLouth picked up his first non-homer base hit in the 7th, driving home Morgan to make the score 5-0 Bucs.

Meanwhile, Maholm was cruising. He allowed his only run in the 7th via a walk, bunt, and single, and handed the ball over to Grabow for a clean 8th.

The real fireworks came in the 9th inning, however. After the Pirates had loaded the bases against Mike Lincoln with 2 outs, Ryan Doumit destroyed a pitch into the right field seats for his first career grand slam. Adam LaRoche followed with a rare flash of brilliance in April–a towering homer into right. Suddenly it was 10-1.

Jesse Chavez struggled (as expected) in the ninth, but you can’t think of a better situation in which to use him. He allowed a run but escaped without further damage thanks to a nice McLouth catch and a bonehead baserunning move by Jay Bruce.

All in all, excellent win for the Bucs. We’ll come home on Monday .500 at worst.